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Denver Nuggets: Michael Malone Talks Up Efficiency

By Chris Schmaedeke

Jun 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone speaks during a press conference at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone speaks during a press conference at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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New Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone knew the questions were coming from the time he sat down at his first press conference.

At what pace will your team play? Will you try to run opponents out of the gym? Will you use the altitude to your advantage?

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“I know once we open it up to questions all we’re going to talk about is pace, and how I’m a guy that wants to walk the ball up the floor,” he said on Tuesday morning per the Denver Post. “I have coached 106 games as a head coach. Don’t paint me, and don’t put me in a hole by saying this is who you are. I played to the strength of our roster, and we were efficient.”

The key word in Malone’s quote is not pace but it is efficient. It is something the Nuggets have not been in at least a couple years. They struggle on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Denver was 21st in offensive efficiency last season and 26th on the defensive end. Both numbers have to change in the Nuggets are going to be playoff contenders once again.

Malone needs to bring a clear message to the Nuggets. That was one of many flaws during Brian Shaw‘s tenure. The Nuggets never knew who they were. Shaw preached half-court, defensive-minded basketball but when it didn’t work he switched. Oh wait, we play at altitude, let’s run, run and run some more and not stop anyone. It is pretty clear why Shaw didn’t work out in Denver.

Malone needs to be both and he spoke of that on Tuesday. The new coach brought up the 2008-09 Denver Nuggets that made the Western Conference Finals behind Carmelo Anthony. Despite all of the scoring of Anthony, that Denver team played on both sides of the court. They ranked in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

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    • “One of the things that stood out to me in 2008-09, the year we made the Western Conference Finals, that was the year we were ranked eighth in defensive efficiency, which is the highest we’d been ranked in about 12 years I think,” Nuggets president Josh Kroenke said. “That stood out to me as a team that was running off of our defense. I think we’re excited to try to implement that style of play.”

    There is no doubt that Malone’s first job will be getting this locker room to buy in because Shaw could never do it. Malone made the comment that he expects the roster to look different during training camp than it does now. That may have to be the case if the Nuggets want this work.

    The hiring of Malone is not sexy or really a big name but looking at the numbers it seems to be the right one. It will move the Nuggets to another direction because this one hasn’t worked in a long time.

    Malone will have some time. No one is expecting big things this season so the coach will have a chance to mold his roster. The draft is the first step to creating something different. This will take time.

    The Nuggets need a new voice and Malone will provide that. The team just needs to listen this time.

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